How to Get Knife Marks Out of a Kitchen Counter

Sal Marco

Kitchen countertops are available in many materials including ceramic tile, wood, stainless steel, plastic laminates and composite materials. Cutting food on the countertops leaves behind marks, some shallow and some deeper. The depth of the knife mark depends on the surface material and the sharpness of the knife. Softer, less resilient countertops will leave a deeper cut while harder materials will leave a surface scratch. The methods for repairing the countertop vary based on the countertop material.

Restore the beauty to your countertops.

Laminate

Step 1

Match the countertop color to a laminate repair paste. Laminate repair pastes are available in many colors. Many packages will state the countertop brand name and color allowing you to have a very close, if not exactly matching color.

Step 2

Dip a clean, soft cloth into the paste and rub it into the scratch to fill it.

Step 3

Buff the repair with a clean, soft cloth.

Ceramic Tile

Step 1

Pour 1 tbsp. of baking soda into a small bowl. Slowly add water while stirring to create a paste with the consistency of toothpaste.

Step 2

Apply the paste to the knife marks with a damp rag.

Step 3

Rub the scratches in a circular motion until they disappear.

Step 4

Flush the surface thoroughly with plain water and dry.

Stainless Steel

Step 1

Apply a commercial abrasive powder made for stainless steel to the knife marks.

Step 2

Rub the scratches with a nylon scrubbing pad. Follow the direction of the grain to blend the repair with the stainless steel surface.

Step 3

Rinse well with plain water and dry completely. Buff the surface with soft cloth.

Soapstone

Step 1

Wet the scratches with plain water.

Step 2

Rub the scratches out with 1,200-grit sandpaper.

Step 3

Wipe up sanding dust and rub the repair with a micro-mesh sanding pad.

Solid Surfacing

Step 1

Wet a nylon scrubbing pad with plain water.

Step 2

Rub the scratches in a circular motion until they are no longer visible.

Step 3

Dry the countertop and buff with a soft cloth.

Wood

Step 1

Insert 220-grit sandpaper in a sanding block. Follow the wood grain and sand the knife marks with 220-grit sandpaper until they are flush with the countertop.

Step 2

Insert 400-grit sandpaper into a sanding block. Follow the wood grain and sand the surface to smooth.

Step 3

Pick up sanding dust with a tack cloth.

Granite and Marble

Step 1

Rub #0000 steel wool over the knife marks to soften the edges of the scratches.